Since the "Next Generation Science Standards" (NGSS) were released, K-12 science teachers have been figuring out how to extend related learning opportunities to all students, including multilingual learners (MLLs) who are new to speaking English. Elementary schools often prioritize math and English language arts, the subjects that are…

While student demographics continue to change nationwide, science achievement gaps persist, as measured by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NCES 2012). As traditional racial and ethnic minority students have become the numeric majority (NCES 2013), teaching science for all increasingly means addressing diverse student populations.…

"Hop to It," a week-long herpetology-focused summer STEM camp for rising fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade girls, provided young females with authentic, hands-on science experiences, allowing them to develop the habits of thought and processes of action used by STEM field experts while also engaging and sustaining their interest in the…

How do students with visual impairments measure liquids? Can a student with cerebral palsy participate in hands-on science activities? What challenges might a hearing-impaired student have in my science class? These are just some of the important questions increasingly being asked by science teachers, thanks in part to the Individuals with…

The National Research Council's recent publication "A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas" (NRC 2011), which is the foundation for the Next Generation Science Standards now being developed, places unprecedented focus on the practices involved in doing scientific and engineering work. In an effort…

Discusses the merits of science learning centers as a tool for teachers to encourage positive interaction among students of different backgrounds and ability levels. Describes the success of science centers through work with children and preservice teachers. (Author/KHR)

Presents research data that demonstrates current disparities in science proficiency among subgroups defined by gender and race. Discusses differences in achievement, science experiences out of school, and academic support. Presents seven guidelines for structuring science activities that motivate and respond to the interests of all students. (19…

Suggests some helpful trade books and activities to nurture creativity and inventiveness. (KHR)

Describes the EQUALS Family Science Program, a national program designed to promote equity in mathematics, science, and technology, in which the goal is to make children and parents more scientifically literate by doing science investigations together. Presents activities that teachers can use to promote scientific literacy and cultural diversity.…